Sister Mathilde DeLucy works in campus ministry at Allentown Central Catholic High School, helping to organize retreats, 40 Hours devotions, and monthly Adoration. She also directs the liturgical and concert choirs.
At the same time, the 32-year-old Sister of Christian Charity also works very hard at a less-formal but just-as-important task: helping young women be open to vocations to religious life. In fact, Sister Mathilde was one of the featured speakers at this year’s diocesan Vocations Discernment Retreat on April 12.
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, the AD Times sat down with Sister Mathilde to talk about hope through vocations.
How do you help encourage vocations?
“It’s all about the witness. Women religious are called to a ministry of presence, a ministry of spiritual motherhood, and a ministry of espousal to Christ. It’s about the walk and the journey, not about being in the spotlight or in a prominent role. It’s about what is God doing through us on the sidelines.”
Do young women often talk with you about the religious life?
“Yes. At Central Catholic, there is a great openness toward vocations. I think that it has to do with the Eucharistic presence here, and the focus given to the Eucharist. What I love most speaking with them about is prayer—how to pray and build a relationship with God. Just coming to know Him deeply in a more intimate way.”
Have Central students gone on to be religious sisters?
“Yes. There have been a number of vocations that have come out of this school – at least 5 or 6 women who have discerned with religious communities that I know of off the top of my head. There are four Sisters of Christian Charity, all under the age of 40, who have made final vows from this school.”
How do vocations engender hope for all of us?
“Hope is the distinct gift from God that His promises are true. And so the hope of religious life is to point out that God is making true on His promises even now; that the struggle on earth to be as close to Him as we possibly can is lived out through the daily living of the vows we take -- poverty, chastity and obedience -- all at the service of love, and all to mirror what God has in store for us in heaven.”
What do you say to someone who may be wondering if they are being called by God?
“God doesn’t play tricks with our hearts. Usually that little tug, that little feeling, is not coming from nowhere. God is not going to lead us somewhere that isn’t supposed to be a part of shaping our souls.”
Any other advice for someone trying to decide if religious life is right for them?
“The biggest thing is to carve out time for personal prayer, especially Eucharistic prayer. Take time to get to Mass more often and receive the Eucharist. Take time for good Confessions and for Adoration. It’s also important to visit religious communities. Go to see what it’s like. Many times we have our own preconceived ideas, and many times we are very far off from the truth. So, both the spiritual and the practical preparations are very important.”
Cover photo by Nick Chismar
Gallery photos from Allentown Central Catholic High School
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